SnowNews

French Resort 'Sexes-Up' Name

Sexing up the name of ski resorts to attract a new, hip clientelle is a trick almost as old as the hills. Just after the second world war Le Tovets became Courchevel 1850 The name was worthy of the faux rock band Spinal Tap - 1850 was chosen becase it was 100 meters higher than arch rivals Val d'Isère even though no part of the resort was higher than 1827 meters. Further south La Morte (the dead lady) transformed into l'alpe du Grande Serre (prairie of the big greenhouse).



Now Orcierès-Merlettes is trying it on. From this season the resort will officially be known as Orcierès 1850. It is fair to say that Orcierès has something of an image problem. The infrastructure is dated, the Drouvet chair was buit by Pomagalski in 1962. The snow cover of this south facing resort, oft buffeted by the harsh brafougne (Mistral) wind, is uncertain and the block-house style architecture without barely a tree to break the skyline conjures up thoughts of magnificent desolation. The resort merits its nickname of sorcieres skelettes (witches and skeletons) although new owners Remy Loisirs will be hoping that fresh investment in lifts and snowmaking and this name change will improve the fortunes of the resort.

website: www.orcieres.com

Related: French Ski Resorts Go Upmarket

posted by davidof @ 12:33 PM